Disposable vaping devices were made to be used once and then discarded. Each manufacturer — such as Elf Bar, Geek Bar, and Puff Bar — states in the product description that its products cannot be recharged. Nevertheless, many disposables do contain a working battery and e-liquid tank which can survive longer than the first time they're charged.
I've tried to reuse dozens of disposable units, and through experimentation, I've learned that you can recover some life from what appears to be a "dead" unit if you handle the device with care.
Why Would You Even Try?
Objectively, the most significant reason disposable vaping devices fail is due to the battery depleting, not the e-liquid being exhausted. Disposable vaping devices typically contain a small lithium ion battery (approximately 400mAh-650mAh) which supplies power to the coil. When the battery runs low, the e-liquid tank may still contain enough e-liquid to produce a small amount of vapor when the coil fires.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Recharging a Disposable Vape
What You Will Need:
- A dead disposable vape with e-liquid visible in the tank.
- A Phillips head or flathead screwdriver (a paperclip is also suitable).
- An old USB cable that you can sacrifice (micro-usb or usb-c are both fine).
- Wire strippers or a sharp knife.
- Electrical tape.
Step 1: Locate and Access the Battery Compartment
Disposable vapes are usually constructed of two parts which are either pressed fit or glued together. The battery is usually located in the lower part of the device. You must search for the seams in your vape to locate the battery compartment. Once located, you will need to insert your screwdriver into the top of the mouthpiece and gently pry the outer casing off. Some models have a small rubber plug at the base of the vape, which you will need to pop out to expose the wiring.
Step 2: Locate the Battery and Wiring
When the outer casing is removed, you will see a small cylindrical lithium-ion battery (usually between 400mah and 600mah), a small circuit board, and the vape’s tank. Two thin wires (usually red and black) will connect the battery to the circuit board and the atomizer.
Fact: The red wire is positive (+), and the black wire is negative (-). If you mix up the polarity of the wires, you will short-circuit the battery and potentially cause a fire.
Step 3: Prepare Your Old USB Cable
Remove the end of the USB cable that connects to the charger (e.g., remove the phone-end, and retain the USB-A end). Remove about half an inch of the outer insulation of the cables to expose the four thinner wires. You only require the red (positive) and black (negative) wires. Strip a small portion of the ends of these two wires. Use a twist tie to make a neat tip to the stripped ends.
Tip: Cover the green and white data wires with electrical tape to prevent them from making contact with the red and black wires.
Step 4: Connect the Cables to the Battery
This is the most dangerous step.
- Connect your prepared USB cable to a low power source, such as a computer USB port, or a 5-watt phone charger brick. Avoid using high-powered chargers.
- Find the connection points. You will need to touch the tips of your USB cable’s red and black wires to the terminals of the battery. The ideal location is where the original thin wires are soldered to the small metal tabs on the battery.
- Carefully press the exposed tip of your USB cable’s red wire against the positive terminal of the battery (the same area as the original red wire).
- Carefully press the exposed tip of your USB cable’s black wire against the negative terminal of the battery (the same area as the original black wire).
If you have properly connected your USB cable, you should see a small spark (which is normal), and the LED light on the vape (if it has one) should illuminate, indicating that the vape is charging.
Step 5: “The Hold”, and Charge Time
You will need to hold these wires in place until the vape is fully charged. Do not leave the room. A typical small battery like this takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour to reach full charge.
In most cases, you won’t need a full charge. A 15-20 minute charge will yield a decent number of puffs. The battery was never designed to support multiple charges, and charging the battery beyond what it needs is a risk.
Step 6: Test and Reassemble
Once the vape has finished charging, unplug the USB cable, and take a few puffs to test the vape. If the vape produces vapor, carefully reassemble the vape. If you damaged the housing, you can cover the gaps with electrical tape to keep the device secure.
The Harsh Reality: Why You Probably Should Not Do This
Although this procedure can work, I believe that the following perspectives I have gained from having done this numerous times are important to note:
- Flavor Never the Same Again: The coil in a disposable vape is designed to provide a satisfactory vape experience for the duration of the life of the pre-charged battery. After you recharge the battery, the coil is further degraded and caramelized with old e-liquid. As a result, the puffs you produce will likely be weak and burnt tasting.
- It is Only a Temporary Solution: While you may be able to obtain 50 – 100 additional puffs, the vape experience will rapidly deteriorate.
- Risk vs Reward: Is saving $10 on a new vape worth the possibility of having a battery fail and catch fire? I would say that for the average person, the answer is no.
A Better, Safer Option
Disposable vaping devices are designed to be convenient and to be disposable. While the ability to modify a disposable vaping device to extend its life is a great way to create a sense of empowerment, transitioning to a reusable vaping device (such as a pod-style device like the Vaporesso XROS series or Uwell Caliburn) is the better option for both your wallet and the environment. Consider using this knowledge to periodically "rescue" your disposable vaping device for emergency situations rather than making it a standard practice.